Practice Planning for Success on the Field and Beyond

and Beyond

George Kuntz - Technical Soccer Development

University of California, Irvine - Head Men's Coach

AYSO National Player Development Technical Advisor

Hawaii Youth Soccer Association – Technical Director and Director of Coaching

info@teamsoccerdirect.com

http://www.ucirvinesports.com/sports/m-soccer/index

Practice planning takes an investment of time.

How much time is a coach willing to invest in preparing his or her practice? Coaches in general across the board must be ready to plan a practice that is effective, fun, and full of action for the players. Do you have what you need for practice? Are there soccer balls for every player, cones, vests, first aid kit, roster with emergency numbers, goals, etc.? Is the coach bringing a passion to their teaching with encouragement and enthusiasm?

Coaches must have a Short Term Plan for development – today, this week, the next game
Coaches should have a Long Term Plan for development – monthly, season, yearly

Another aspect that is important for coaches to know is the players they coach. Each session should have an objective and a purpose for that particular age group and level that is appropriate.

While a plan is necessary coaches must be flexible because the variables or your practice may change with injuries or players missing from practice. Coaches must adapt to the needs and demands of the team and the age group they are coaching.

Winning or losing is not the focus of the development stages of players. The fact is that players will compete in exercises that are dynamic and engaging. It gets them into an unhealthy competitive mode when all they should be doing is simply enjoy the game. They must enjoy the soccer playing experience and ask for more after each practice.

Coaches tend to tell kids what is going to happen before they do it. A better approach would be to simply let the players know the rules of the exercise and maybe the topic then get them started. Corrections can be made within the game or at a natural stoppage unless it is an area that is to be addressed with the entire team. For the most part the fewer instructions the better. Encouragement is welcome.

Before a coach starts the practice preparation know the age group and the appropriateness of the training for the age group. Terminology and the names for things in the game or on the field are important for players and coaches to learn.

Coach George Kuntz's Eight Step Plan to Practice –
Coach K's 8 Keys to PRACTICE =

1. P = Have a Plan - Have a topic for every practice
2. R = Repetition - Use exercises that kids can see improvement
3. A = Action – Activities should be dynamic versus static, inclusive versus exclusive
4. C = Communication - Make sure the players understand the exercise and the rules
5. T = Timing - When to teach a topic
6. I = Improvisation – Utilize and encourage creativity, be flexible throughout practice with changes that may be necessary
7. C = Concentration - Focus on technical or tactical with a clear message
8. E = Execution – Expect the players can execute at a higher level and they will

Is the session Tactical or Technical?

There is no limit on the amount of topics that can be coached. The most important focus is on the technical elements of the game especially at the younger ages. Incorporate some incremental pressure by limiting time, adding a defender, or reducing the space of the exercise. This will encourage players to be challenged in tighter spaces under incremental pressure. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Exercises that can be found on many websites that are correct for your topic and team it makes life easier and practice if it flows from simple to complex. Make time for small sided games at each training unless preparing for a game and there is a need for larger space tactics.

If all else fails get your team into small sided games for your practice time. They will love it and they will develop, get more ball contact, make more decisions, and be more engaged.

It is our responsibility to challenge our players and provide a meaningful experience for them. We should be creating an experience that they will fondly remember and foster more involvement in the game as a player or as a fan.

http://www.championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/champ/auth/2458/George-Kuntz.html

About the Author...

In 2009, UCI won the Big West Tournament and received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and a first round bye by virtue of a 4-1 win on the road against No. 4 UCSB. UC Irvine was rewarded for a historic 15 win season by receiving the 16th seed for the NCAA Division I Tournament and played host to Stanford in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in front of 2000 fans. The team finished No. 3 in the West region and No. 11 in the nation.

Kuntz led the 2008 Anteaters to their first ever Big West championship with a 5-1-4 record, their first Big West Tournament title and first trip to the NCAA Tournament. In the NCAA tournament he guided the team to the Round of 16 after earning the No. 14 national seed to start the tourney. Kuntz was named Big West Conference Coach of the Year. The 2008 squad had four players earn All-American honors. The 'Eaters were ranked as high as 7th nationally at the end of the regular season and concluded with a school best 15-2-6 record.

Kuntz came to UCI from Pepperdine where he was the first women's soccer head coach; recording a 23-11-2 record in the first two seasons of the program's existence. Kuntz began his collegiate coaching career at California Lutheran University in 1988 and compiled a five-year record of 60-27-10 (.670). The Kingsmen won the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) titles in 1991 and 1992 and advanced to the NCAA Far West Regional title game. In 1989 founded the women's soccer program at California Lutheran University and recorded a 51-24-1 (.678) record from 1989-1992. California Lutheran's women's team was ranked No. 1 in the Far West region and No. 3 in the nation in 1992 with a 17-4 record. Kuntz led the team to SCIAC championships in 1991 and 1992. The team went to the NCAA Far West final in 1992.

Kuntz has coached four National Championship teams in the Donnelly Cup since being named the California Soccer Association Head Coach for both the men and women. The California State Select Men's Team won National Championships in 2003, 2004 and 2005. His women's California State Select won the national title in 2006, the regional title in 2004 and, participated in the National Final Four in 2005.